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A coalition of northern group, Arewa Youths Consultative Forum, has withdrawn the earlier quit notice it issued Nigerians of Igbo extraction living in the north to vacate the region before October 1 or face physical attacks.
The group also accused the Igbos of amassing weapons in the north.
Arewa Youths
The Coalition of Northern Youth Groups (CNYG) made the withdrawal on Thursday at a World Press Conference held at Transcorp Hilton hotel in Abuja, Nigeria's capital.
Among those present at the conference include the Governor of Borno state and Chairman of Northern Governors' Forum, Alhaji Kashim Shetima, ex- Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Kabiru Gaya, ex-Minister, Alhaji Sani Daura and Alhaji Shetima Yerima of Arewa Youths Council.
Recall that northern group had given reasons for issuing the eviction order as being a response action to the sit-at-home call the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kaku had made which saw massive compliance in the south-east.
Although much condemnations had trailed the eviction notice the northern group had issued Ndigbo, the group had maintained their stand.
Consequently, several regions had equally responded with similar orders to those they perceived unwanted. The South-South region had also declared Niger Delta state after equally giving its quit notice to all northerners living in the South-South region. Following was the South-West that declared Oduduwa republic and then the Middle Belt which also declared the region a republic.
The Bank of Industry (BOI) says interest rate on the $200M Nigerian Local Content Intervention Fund will not exceed five to eight per cent.
Its Managing Director, Mr Olukayo Pitan, said this on Thursday in Abuja at the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony on the Implementation of the $200M Nigerian Local Content Intervention Fund.
The MoU was between the BOI and Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
Pitan said that the decision to lower the interest rates was to reduce loan burden on contractors as well fast track the development of the oil sector in the country.
He said that the BOI had taken into consideration the different categories of the contractors to come up with moderate single digit interest rates.
Pitan said that the BOI's response to loan requests under the fund would be within 45 days.
He said the loans would be for a period of five years.
"In summary form, the fund can be used to acquire assets for those in oil and gas who have contracts that they have to execute for major industries.
"There is a single obligor limit for that type of facility which will not exceed $10M and the interest rate of it will not exceed eight per cent per annum.
"Also, we have taken into account community contractor for people who are in the community because this fund is also trying to ensure that they are brought along and in a easier way.
"For community contractors, they can access up to N10m and the interest rate of that will not exceed five per cent,'' Pitan said.
He said that for contractors into manufacturing for big companies such as Dangote could access the facility not exceeding $10 million.
He said that the fund, with tenure of five years, could also be used to finance contracts.
Pitan said that the BOI was aware that before the intervention fund was operational most of the contractors approached banks with agreement to pay up to 15 to 16 per cent per annum in dollar.
For the contracts that were qualified, but already working with other commercial banks, Pitan said that the BOI would find a modality to co-opt them into the scheme to reduce their burden arising from high interest rate.
The bank executive said that the BOI would dedicate a team made up of experts from both banking and the oil and gas industry so that contactors could easily access the fund.
"We are going to do this so that if you bring project that we are not familiar with, we will get expert to work with. We also get people in the board that will be looking at what you have sent to us.''
He expressed optimism that the $200m fund would lead to greater capacity of local players in the industry.
"It will generate employment; it will block leakages that will as well lead to the growth of the industrial sector.
The Executive Secretary of NCDMD, Mr Simbi Wabote,said that the essence of the MoU was to facilitate the implementation of the 200 million US dollars of Nigerian Local Content Intervention Fund.
Wabote said that the 200 million dollars intervention fund was owned by NCDMD, adding that the fund was given to Bol by NCDMD to disburse to contractors that would be in need.
Wabote said that over 35,000 jobs had been created through the implementation of Local content Act Act.
He said that a key eligibility requirement to borrow was that applicants must have been contributing to the Nigerian Content Development Fund.
"We have developed a robust governance framework covering the funding structure and management, equity contribution, collateral, credibility reviews, and other operational guidelines to ensure the fund's sustainability.
"The intervention fund will help to improve the capacity in oil and gas sector," he said.
President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has said that the Senate will accelerate the passage of the Existing Vacancies in the Federal Civil Service (Prohibition) Bill, once it resumes in September.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki said that the Bill, which is currently due for Second Reading, will be given priority as one of the Senate's legislative interventions to curb the increasing rates of illegal recruitment into federal government agencies and parastatals.
Saraki
"The Existing Vacancies Bill will put in place clear-cut procedures that will help to curb and possibly end the trend of 'silent or underground recruitment'," the President of the Senate said, "This country belongs to every Nigerian, and as such, all vacancies that exist in the Federal Civil Service must be properly advertised to give every Nigerian that meet the requirement a chance to apply."
Saraki also stated that the objective of the Bill, which was introduced by Senator Biodun Olujimi, the Senate Deputy Minority Whip, will be to promote the integrity and transparency in the recruitment of personnel into the Federal Civil Service, by making it an offence for a Federal Ministry, Agency or Parastatal to fill existing vacancies in their organizations if such vacancies have not been advertised publicly.
"With this Bill, we will set time-frames for recruitment and the publication of recruitment in national dailies," the President of the Senate said, "This will make it the duty of the heads of government agencies and ministries to ensure compliance or face punitive measures.
"Additionally, this Bill will help to ensure that the mandate of the Federal Character Commission is followed to the letter, by imposing punitive measures on those that choose to intentionally flout the law by embarking on secret recruitment exercises within the MDAs under their purview.
"This illegal recruitment trend needs to stop, and when we resume, we will begin to work towards enshrining this in our laws," Saraki said.
The popular Nollywood actrees, Funke Akindele, on Thursday, was surprised by her husband who came with her friends to their house without her knowledge to celebrate her birthday. She stood akimbo, watching surprisingly on what was going on. Funke celebrated her 41th birthday today.
Britain’s four-time Olympic champion Mo Farah ended his track career in thrilling fashion on Thursday with victory in the 5,000m at the Diamond League final in Zurich.
The 34-year-old Farah, also a six-time world champion who will now switch to road running, clocked 13min 06.05sec to defeat Paul Chelimo of the United States and Muktar Edris of Ethiopia.
Victory was particularly sweet as Edris had defeated him in the 5,000m final at the world championships in London two weeks ago, ending his streak of 10 gold medals dating back to the 2011 world championships.
It was also Farah’s first career Diamond League trophy.
Ousmane Dembele could soon become the second most expensive player in history as reports claim Barcelona have finally agreed a deal that could rise to 150 million euros ($177 million) for the wantaway 20-year-old.
Dembele
According to media outlets in Spain, France and Germany, Barca are prepared to break their own transfer record with an initial offer of 120 million euros supplemented by 30 million extra in add-ons.
“We’re getting nearer to a decision, but one hasn't been reached yet,” Dortmund’s managing director Hans-Joachim Watzke told Sky, denying claims a deal had been finalised between the clubs’ directors at Thursday’s Champions League draw in Monaco.
“We are not the sort of club who does our business in public, we can only say that there is no fixed agreement.”
Dembele, who cost Dortmund just 15 million euros from Rennes last year, has been suspended by Dortmund since he boycotted training on August 10 in protest after the German club rejected Barca’s first bid.
“The club is working on the incorporation of players and when there is a definitive decision we will make an official announcement that explains the situation,” Barca’s general manager Pep Segura told BeIN Sports Spain.
German newspaper Bild reported Dortmund could make an official announcement at midday (1000GMT) on Friday.
Barcelona-based sports daily Mundo Deportivo claimed Barca are hopeful of presenting Dembele at the Camp Nou on Sunday or Monday.
The saga also cost Dembele his place in the France squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers against the Netherlands and Luxembourg on Thursday.
“Ousmane hasn’t trained for a fortnight and he’s waiting to see if the transfer will go ahead or won’t go ahead,” said France coach Didier Deschamps.
Barca are in desperate need for reinforcements since being caught cold by Neymar’s decision to join Paris Saint-Germain for a world record 222 million euros earlier this month.
With just a week to go before the transfer window closes, the Catalan giants have had several attempts to land Dembele and Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho rebuffed, piling pressure onto already beleaguered president Josep Maria Bartomeu.
Following Barca’s 5-1 aggregate thrashing by Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup, the hashtag “bartomeudimiteya” (Bartomeu resign now) was a trending topic worldwide on Twitter.
A growing split between Barca’s top players and board was also evidenced this week as the likes of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez posted photos on social media of them partying with Neymar just hours after the club announced they are suing the Brazilian for breach of contract.
Barcelona were powerless to stop Neymar’s move to PSG earlier this month as the French side met the buyout clause in his contract.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Tukur Yusufu Buratai has bagged the Presidential Award for Excellence.
Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai
The army boss is being honoured for his victory over the Boko Haram sect in the north eastern part of the country.
The Institute of Management, which is conferring the award on the COAS said, Buratai has been able to humble the insurgents within the last two years.
A statement issued by NIM said Buratai has been able restore the confidence in the military.
The statement said, "However, in less than two years of Lt. Gen Tukur Yusufu Buratai becoming the Chief of Army Staff, the tide changed to a much safer north east, and thereby restoring confidence in the Nigerian Army as a reliable agent for National Security. Many captured/deserted cities and towns were recovered and normalcy gradually restored.
"This rare feat could not have been possible without the intervention of Lt. Gen Buratai, who upon assumption of duty, swiftly demonstrated his leadership skills and militarty prowess coupled with patriotic zeal, to tackle headlong , the nefarious activities of the insurgents, which threatened our national cohesion.
"We present to you Lt. Gen Buratai, NAM, GSS, psc (+) NDC )(BD), a world class infantry Oficer and exceptional Professional Manager (Security) worthy of recognition."
"Lieutenant General Buratai, was born in November 1960, at Buratai town, Biu Local Government Area of Borno State. He started his primary school in Kaduna and completed it at St Patrick Primary School Maiduguri, and thereafter, proceeded to Government Teachers' College Potiskum, now in Yobe State, where he completed and subsequently obtained his Teachers' Grade 2 certificate with flying colours, graduating with distinction.
An iconic example of a citizen who places national interest above personal one, whose zeal to serve the nation with his life is inborn.
It is this inalienable zeal to serve the nation with his life that made him apply and gain admission into the prestigious Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna as a member of the 29th Regular Combatant Course (29 RC) on 3rd January 1981.
On successful completion of his Officer Cadet training, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on 17th December 1983 into the Infantry Corps.
In another development, the Nigerian Army School of Finance and Administration Apapa, has been Awarded with the Mobolaji Bank-Anthony Award for Institutional Excellence.
This according to observes is another plus for the Chief of Army Staff whose administration has remained committed to institutional reforms in the Nigerian Army, to ensure the highest form of transparency and accountability in the Army’s financial conduct.
An officer in the Finance School who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity b cause he was not authorized to do so said the Chief of Army Staff’s reforms in the finance unit of the Army are fast bearing fruits as officers and soldiers have continued to receive training at workshops and seminars, exposure to standard financial practice and due process as a way of eliminating every form of corruption anywhere in the Nigerian Army.
The Minster of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, on Thursday called on financial institutions , oil companies and other stakeholders to support the expansion of Nigerian Content Intervention Fund.
Ibe Kachikwu
Kachikwu made the call at the launching of a 200 million dollar Nigerian Content Intervention Fund in Abuja.
The fund, provide by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), is designed to support development of capacity for Nigerian expertise in oil and gas sector.
The Fund, to be administered by Bank of the Industry (BOI), will be disbursed on a single digit interest rate of not more than eight per cent within a period of five years to qualified local players in the industry.
Kachikwu said that the fund would help to galvanize some local Nigerian experts who wanted to invest in some areas but lacked sufficient funding.
" As small as the fund might be, 200 million dollars is to ginger everybody to begin to look at how to expand this fund.
" My goal for this fund is at least one billion dollars and not 200 million dollars.
" So once the fund is launched, we will work internally and first of all get BOI to also contribute its counterpart funding.
"I also expect the oil industry to begin to say how can we contribute; whether it is through deposit to BOI, to enable us to expand this pool of fund.
" I like to see investment drives that will bring in Foreign Direct Investments into this fund," he said.
He said there were series of opportunities inherent in the utilisation of the fund, hence the need for expansion.
The minster also said that it was important to ensure proper disbursement of the fund.
"We must be careful to see that we have reasonable geographical spread in what we are doing, so that we don't have one geographical entity benefiting from it; so the fund must go round, that is key.
"Secondly, I like to see this fund go to cutting edge technology driven businesses; we need to look for things that are not there as basic normal day to day activities."
He said there was the need to ensure sectoral spread of the fund in the downstream, upstream and mainstream sub sectors.
He also emphasised the need to consider and incorporate the oil producing communities in the disbursement of the fund.
The minster urged oil companies to identify indigenous companies operating within their domain and support them to grow capacity.
This, he said, would help to develop the industry further.
"The whole idea is for oil companies to identify within their own domain in the last five years, 10 companies that have worked with them and have capacity but lacked in certain things that can help them grow.
"The oil companies can help them grow by giving them adequate patronage, support, by getting training, some time providing certain technology that they can grow with.
"This industry will not grow by Nigerian company just struggling alone to grow, we have a moral responsibility as oil industry to help the companies grow."
He thanked NCDMB for its effort at promoting local content, adding that NCDMB should place a benchmark on when to exit the use of foreign capacity in some areas.
"We must begin to drive local content development in the oil industry; once we succeed, the rest sectors of the economy will grow.
He said efforts were on to reduce the cost of oil production in the country.
"But NNPC has done a good job by bringing it down to 23, but that is not where we are heading; where we are heading is 15 per cent and is not 18.
"We must bring down cost of production; we must look at our OPEC brothers in the face and be able to compete adequately; oil companies must rise to the challenges of producing oil, so the target is 15, and we will achieve that."
The Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Mr Simbi Wabote, said the fund was the realisation of NCDMB's efforts to address persistent funding challenge that hindered capacity and growth of local service providers in oil and gas.
He said Nigeria had developed capacity to handle fabrication of more than 60,000 tonnes.
"I personally went round to see these fabrication yards, based on my findings, I can boldly say there is nothing we cannot fabricate in Nigeria.
"In manufacturing, we have grown capacities such that all cables required in the oil and gas sector are all manufactured in Nigeria.
" Same for bolts, nuts and flanges, fully certified to the required oil and gas industry standards for onshore and offshore projects."
He said that NCDMB had developed a 10-year strategic plan to achieve its local content development plans in the oil and gas sector.
He said that one of the plans was to actively promote and support Indigenous companies venturing into deepwater offshore projects and operations.
He said the plan also consisted of development in the upstream, downstream and mainstream sub sectors .
In spite of owing some categories of workers salary in arrears, the Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola has been described as the best governor that continues to be a reference point of human capital development by a group, South West Professional Forum, (SOWPROF).
A United State's economic consultant made this assertion in Lagos on Wednesday.
He was speaking on "Media and Diversity Reporting" organized by journalists in Lagos.
Governor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola of Osun state
"Osun and Lagos States remain the most cited examples of good and quality leadership among the 36 states of the federation in international economic and political circles in terms of management of human and material resources in West Africa. Osun is of particular importance because it is an agrarian state with little resources, dwindling national income but yet has been able to provide enviable records in terms of human development index", Chief Segun Ajibulu, a tax consultant with the United States and President of South West Professional Forum, (SOWPROF) wrote in an address sent to the organisers.
The address was read on his behalf by Mr Victor Fatunla, an official of the SOWPROF and the Managing Director of Factors Insurance Brokers, who represented the group at the event held at M Square Hotel in Lagos.
In the address, he said he was impressed that international community continue to show interests in what is going on in Osun State for various reasons. According to him, the media needs to probe deep into what he described as a "revolution in politics and economy" that has taken place in Osun in the past close to seven years.
He urged journalists to engage Osun State constructively so as to rediscover the real story of the state's success instead of depending on press statements from the opposition.
He said "beyond the false narrative that Osun has not been paying workers' salaries, it is important for journalists to understand how the state manages to pay workers on levels seven downwards full salary till date inspite of the lean resources. We should find out how the state manages to pay 75 percent of workers' salary for those on grades seven and below.
We should find out how political office holders including the members of the State House of Assembly decide to earn only 50 percent of their pay, how the governor decides not to be paid any salary since assumption of office and above all how the state was able to build secondary and primary schools of international standards in the face of learn resources."
He said the media has been concentrating on press releases by the opposition figures who take delight in demonizing the state saying that independent observers and members of the international community continue to do independent reports on the state of Osun which puts the state ahead of many of her peers in terms of sustainable development. "It should interest journalists to know while UNESCO, the world bank and various international institutions continue to partner with the State of Osun. It shows the moral integrity of the leadership of the state."
He said "It amazes many in the global world how 150,000 computers were given to students, how 500 rural roads were constructed and how the state political leaders make sacrifices for the utilitarian good of the greater society." He said diversity reporting means that journalists should deal with substance instead of allowing shadows to assume lives of their own.
He said "This man won the most difficult election in modern Nigerian history. He was the first progressive government to stop the advance of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) in the build up to the 2015 Presidential election. The most vicious military and security machines were deployed against him, having identified him as the leading icon of the incoming government.
There were security reports that the Federal Government led by PDP needed to demolish Ekiti and Osun States in order to clear the hurdle for 2015 Presidential election. Ekiti fell like a pack of cards. But in Osun, it dazzled the PDP and their agents how Aregbesola fought literally with his blood to bring the PDP on her knees. What led to the victory was the conviction of Osun people that Aregbesola and his team was a better alternative."
He said the defeat of the PDP in Osun paved the way for the eventual loss of the Federal government by the PDP machine. Ajibulu said "The Federal Government decided to borrow the school-feed programme from Osun. This is remarkable. If the National Assembly can make sacrifices by taking half of their salary as the political leaders in Osun do, Nigeria will be able to save about 50 billion every month." No fewer than 35 journalists from the print, electronic and social media attended the event.
The Management of ASO Savings & Loans Plc is aware of recent negative publicity about the bank.
The allegations raised are a direct result of sustained efforts by the Bank to recover its assets from an aggrieved ex Management staff over the last 18 months. We are working with the relevant law enforcement agencies in this regard.
The Bank remains focused on its objective of asset recovery and is pursuing these claims lawfully, working with the law enforcement agencies to recover its assets and resolve all the issues. The Bank will continue to work with all regulatory bodies and will provide all necessary information that may be required.
Regardless of the news, allegations and information that may continue to circulate, we are confident that the truth will emerge. The Bank will continue to focus on its daily operational activities and will not be dragged into public exchange of words in a bid to distract it from its ongoing recovery process.
Over the years, ASO Savings & Loans has played a significant role in the provision of housing solutions to Nigerians and has emerged as a mortgage powerhouse in Nigeria
As a Primary Mortgage Bank, ASO Savings & Loans has been instrumental in over N30billion mortgage originations for over 12,000 home-owners. It successfully championed and originated mortgages for over 88% of the residential mortgage securities during the 2007 N25 billion Sale of Federal Government Houses bond in Abuja.
ASO has built a deep and unsurpassed working knowledge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and now operates from fourteen (14) branches and six cash centres within the FCT, Lagos, Rivers, Ondo, Kano, Niger, Kaduna and Edo states of the Federation.
FIFA has appointed a committee to run crisis-hit Cameroonian football as doubts grow over the country’s ability to host the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
Cameroon is struggling to complete the necessary infrastructure projects to host the three-week event.
The organisation of the tournament has been complicated by a power struggle at the heart of the Cameroonian Football Association after Tombi Roko Sidiki’s controversial victory in the 2015 race to be chief executive was annulled by the country’s national Olympic and sports committee.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport confirmed that decision, agreeing that the electoral process had contained irregularities and FIFA said Thursday it had put in place an interim committee until new elections can be held “no later than” February 28, 2018.
“The Bureau of the FIFA Council has today decided to appoint a normalisation committee for the Cameroonian Football Association (FECAFOOT),” FIFA said in a statement released Wednesday.
Continental football chief Ahmad Ahmad warned this month that Cameroon was “not ready” to host the 2019 tournament, which will be expanded to 24 teams for the first time and held in June and July.
“Cameroon isn’t ready to welcome even four teams,” said Ahmad, the president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
That drew a pledge from Cameroonian President Paul Biya that his nation “will be ready when the day comes”.
CAF spokesman Junior Binyam said FIFA’s decision did not mean the Cameroonian federation was banned.
“It’s just the executive that is (no longer) existing,” Binyam said.
A number of countries, including Morocco and Algeria, have said they are prepared to stand in to host the 2019 Cup of Nations.
French icon Charles Aznavour, one of the 20th century’s most prolific entertainers who continues to write and perform at 93, was due to be honored Thursday with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Charles Aznavour
With a career spanning eight decades, the crooner has recorded 1,400 songs — 1,300 of which he wrote — and has produced over 390 albums in multiple languages.
“He’s written hundreds of songs that are known. He was awarded many awards for his work and he is still performing at his age, which is wonderful,” Ana Martinez, producer of the Walk of Fame ceremonies, told AFP.
A recipient of France’s prestigious Officier de la Legion d’honneur (Officer of the Legion of Honor), which recognizes extraordinary military and civil service, Aznavour is also credited in more than 60 movies.
The star defied detractors who pointed to his unconventional looks to become one of France’s most iconic singers, dubbed the country’s Frank Sinatra, whose melancholy tunes have captivated global audiences.
He has said he still “writes every day, often a song a day” and performs tirelessly, drawing thousands to his shows.
Born Shahnour Varinag Aznavourian in Paris to Armenian immigrants on May 22, 1924, he has sold more than 100 million records.
“Above all, I did it with love and dedication and for the pleasure for my audience,” he says on his website.
Aznavour’s parents fled the Turkish-ruled Ottoman empire to escape the massacres then being committed against their compatriots and landed in Paris, where they were waiting for a visa to head to the United States.
When the visa never materialized they ended up making their home in France, producing shows which Aznavour and his sister would take part in from a very young age.
He said he always saw himself “more as an actor who sings than a singer who acts” in an interview with BBC radio.
Aznavour left school early — and said he was always uncomfortable about his lack of higher education — but after World War II he teamed up with fellow French icon Edith Piaf, who took him to America and a solo career.
As her manager and songwriter, Aznavour lived with Piaf for eight years, once remarking he saw many of her lovers come and go but he was not one of them as “she was not my type.”
Either way, Piaf’s endless badgering for Aznavour to get a nose job eventually paid off.
“As for criticism, I have heard it all: They said I was ugly, short, that the ill should not be allowed to sing,” he once told AFP in an interview.
“I had an exemplary career I never could have dreamed of.”
Cristiano Ronaldo was named UEFA Player of the Season for 2016-2017 on Thursday after a campaign which saw the Portuguese superstar help Real Madrid to the La Liga and Champions League double.
Real Madrid’s Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo poses with the trophy after he was awarded the title of “Best Men’s Player in Europe” at the conclusion of the UEFA Champions League group stage draw ceremony in Monaco on August 24, 2017. / AFP PHOTO
It was the third time that Ronaldo had won the award which was presented on the sidelines of the Champions League group stage draw.
His great rival Lionel Messi has won the prize on two occasions and could pave the way for him to capture a fifth Ballon d’Or title.
“There are the same goals every year, to meet the same challenges, win everything if possible, qualify for the World Cup with my national team,” said Ronaldo.
“This trophy will give me the motivation to keep working hard, never to give up. I am blessed and delighted to be with Real Madrid.”
Ronaldo won the UEFA award in 2013-2014 and 2015-2016 and in the Champions League last season, where Real defeated Juventus 4-1 in the final, he finished as top scorer with 12 goals.
Juventus goalkeeper and captain Gianluigi Buffon was second in the voting ahead of Messi.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar said on Thursday that the traditional institution was in support of the recent move by the Federal Government to criminalise hate speech and fake news.
The Sultan, who stated this in Abuja at the Annual Lecture Series and 25th Anniversary of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), added that hate speech should be declared as terrorism offence.
He said that the traditional institution was in support of the recent declaration by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as Acting President that "none will be allowed to get away with making speeches that can cause sedition or that can cause violence''.
The monarch said that the phenomenon of hate speech and fake news had reached an alarming state and decisive action should be taken by the government.
The monarch said he was a victim of fake news only on Wednesday when he was misrepresented at a Nigerian Labour Congress event in Abuja that "he kicked against Restructuring''
He clarified his position at the event that he was only against any restructuring that would lead to the disintegration of Nigeria.
The monarch said that he was also shocked by a Television station reports which claimed that there was "fracas'' at the same event.
"Shortly after the event, many people were calling me that what was I doing at the event where there was "fracas''.
"There was nothing like fracas at that event as reported by a popular TV station which I will not named here.
"A former comrade governor who was at the event canvassed a position which did not go down well with the audience and people were shouting.
"The President of NLC waded into the situation and the Comrade Governor continued with his speech.
At the end of the speech the former governor was given a loud ovation. So, how can that, be described as fracas,'' he said.
The monarch said he was shocked to see news report on the event with the headline, "Restructuring, Sultan kicked, Oshiomole booed''
The monarch said that the freedom of speech as enshrined in the Constitution should not be used to violate other people's rights.
The Sultan also decried a recent development where President Muhammadu Buhari's health condition was politicised and made to generate hate speeches.
He called on political and religious leaders at all levels to guide their utterances and condemn hate speeches.
Retired Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, the former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha also decried the alarming rate of hate speech.
He said although the phenomenon was not new, government must be decisive in addressing the trend.
Al-Mustapha said there was international dimension to sponsorship of hate speech especially by those who had seen the potential of Nigeria.
He said local collaborators were being recruited as merchants to use fake news to subvert the nation.
Al-Mustapha, therefore, called on NBC to create synergy with International Intelligence Community in addressing the challenge.
He also called for regulation of the review of only front pages of newspapers in the television and radio station programmes.
Al-Mustapha said that knowing well that the review attracted large follower-ship, sponsors of hate speech messages will always ensure that their stories are published in front pages while developmental news are tucked inside the papers.
He charged the media organisations to wake up to their statutory responsibilities and shun act that will disintegrate the country.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday charged governments and leaders in the country to provide security and food for the people, saying those were the pressing need of the citizens.
According to him, our people already have enough problems as it is, and the most important thing for our people is the security of lives and property and food on their tables.
Osinbajo made the call at a meeting with government officials and community leaders as part of efforts at resolving the lingering dispute between farmers and herdsmen in Mambilla Plateau.
The meeting held at the executive council chambers of Government House, Jalingo, Taraba.
The vice president said "it is our role as leaders to ensure that all our people are safe and secure and that we provide that security as much as we can.''
He commended the state government and community leaders in the affected area for their commitment in finding lasting solutions to the crisis.
He said that the meeting was important but expressed pleasure that the crisis had abated and the situation was improving.
"I want to thank you all for the leadership that, all of you, the leaders from that local government, have shown,'' he said.
While urging the people to embrace and live in harmony, Osinbajo assured all stakeholders in the state of government's commitment in ensuring that permanent peace returned to the troubled area.
Earlier, the state governor, Darius Ishaku, had thanked the vice president for his commitment in ensuring that peace returned to parts of the state plagued by crisis, especially the Mambilla Plateau.
He assured the Federal Government of the state government's cooperation in ensuring that peace was restored to the area.
The governor, his deputy, Mr Haruna Manu; the Senator representing the zone, Sen. Abubakar Yusuf; Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Sen. Aisha Alhassan, attended the meeting.
Others were Political Adviser to the President, Sen. Babafemi Ojudu and some top officials of the state government.
Mr Taidi Jonathan, former Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Niger, on Thursday said it was now the right time to restructure the country for a true federalism.
Taidi told the Newsmen in Minna that President Buhari should not ignore the calls for the exercise and threats from certain groups to evict Nigerians from parts of the country.
He said from the statistics released recently, Lagos State, which contributed over 70 per cent of VAT earnings, received a partly sum from the federation account.
" Restructuring Nigeria now means that a state such as Kebbi will further maximise its potentials in rice farming while others with similar arable land will wake up from their slumber," he said.
Jonathan called on Nigerians to support the political commitment of the present administration in the ongoing fight against corruption.
He described corruption as a major factor responsible for the nation's set beck.
" Our future generations will not forgive us if we fail to lay a concrete foundation that will end corrupt practices in our midst."
Mr Micheal Kotter, the Chief Executive Officer, International Bio gas and Bio energy Centre of Competence (IBBK) German y says Nigeria has enough biomass capacity to provide its electricity.
Kotter said this at the workshop on bio gas technical presentation organised by the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA) on Thursday in Abuja.
He said that even though it was his first visit to the country, he observed that Nigeria has a lot of biomass that could be channeled into the production of electricity and for organic fertiliser for agricultural purposes.
" I can see a lot of biomass being grown here, so my perception of Nigeria is that it is an ideal place to produce biogas and pursue the technology.
" I think Nigeria has very big potential; we in Germany have a growth period of half a year or six months and after that, it is winter, and during this period nothing grows because it is very cold.
"But in Nigeria all year round you have plants growth and animal growing and waste is produced and biomass is produced, so here you have actually better chances for this technology.
"Also the climate is always warm so you have very good conditions for the bacteria to grow, in Germany we have to pack in our bacteria because they like it warmth.''
Kotter said that invasive plants in some environments that destroy farmlands could also be turned to biogas by the mixing it dung to produce energy.
He said that a country as big as Nigeria should be producing far more energy for its citizens to use through the cheap and efficient means of biogas production.
Kotter however cautioned that not all waste was good enough for efficient production of electricity, adding that fresh and newly generated waste produce better biogas.
Mrs Nnenna Nwankwo, a scientific officer from the Ministry of Science and Technology, one of the trainees commended the training.
She called on policy makers to make biogas a mandatory energy source for some public schools.
She said that this would encourage government to put funds in the technology to generate cheap energy for citizens while creating jobs.
Dr Felix Ukponu, the Chief Executive Officer, Hermesmann L.L.C, U.S., (Harbinger of Global Environmental Solutions), the private sector partner facilitator of the workshop called for greater sensitisation of the citizens about the potential in biogas.
He promised that the building of the biogas plant would be fast tracked to ensure that Nigerians became beneficiary of the technology.
As Preparations heighten for the celebration of the creation of Delta State since 26 years ago, the Chief Press Secretary to Delta State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa , Mr. Charles Aniagwu says Deltans have every reason to celebrate
Aniagwu who was fielding questions from journalists on Thursday in Asaba said , “as a state created 26 years ago, our leaders and indeed, all Deltans have cause to celebrate because the state has recorded huge socio- economic and political transformation within the period. We may not have been able to develop to a level we anticipated, but today we have been able to record considerable number of milestones that we can be proud of as a state in various areas of development".
Mr Charles Aniagwu,
He said successive and present administration in the state have been able to focus on construction and maintenance of the vital infrastructure like roads , bridges and drains.
Specifically , Mr. Aniagwu pointed out that the Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa’s administration since assuming office has embarked on the construction of more than 98 roads , covering a distance of over 612 kilometers , realizing that road development and construction is the backbone for the achievement of the SMART agenda .
These roads, he pointed out, " are intended to link up our various communities to enhance social- economic development in the state. The movement of farm produce from one locality to another has been enhanced with the provision of motor able roads linking our communities.”
" The unprecedented growth in our state capital as witnessed in recent times is indicative of the fact that the dividend of democracy is gradually trickling down to the masses" , he opined, adding " today the state capital is growing at a phenomenonal speed, we have been able to add a level of momentum , the fact is that the state capital has moved away from a glorified local government headquarters to something that looks more like an urban center", he added.
He said Asaba, being the state capital has been enjoying unprecedented level of peace, as a result of the conscious efforts of our past and present leaders of the state. You will agree with me that the rapid socio-economic development of asaba, especially the invasion of Nollywood actors into Asaba is as a result of the peaceful nature and environment of the fast growing city.
In the area of education, Mr. Aniagwu explained that, "we are still registering a level of progress as the state is paying more attention to vocational training for our students to reduce the incidence of unemployable graduates. The state is focusing on graduating students who can not only employ themselves but graduates who can become employers of labour".
Mr. Aniagwu said, "It is on record that the state government has repositioned the technical and vocational schools in the state by investing huge resources to ensure that they become center of excellence, for example, His Excellency Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa approved the upgrade of infrastructure and equipment in Agbor, Ofagbe and Sapele technical colleges as well as the Issele-uku, Ogor and Utagba-Ogbe technical colleges”.
According to him, a lot of policy initiatives have also been directed at the tertiary institutes as the Delta State University and the state polytechnics have received various degrees of attention from the government in the recent times in terms of upgrade of facilities and funding.
He further stated that the state has also achieved a lot in the areas of Healthcare, Agriculture, Transport, culture and tourism and many more.
He said in spite of the huge successes recorded as a state within this 26 years, the state government is not rolling out the drums , rather , the celebration will be low key in view of the economic mood of the nation.
According to him, the recession that is ravaging the country will not permit for frivolous spending; rather such funds would be channeled towards uplifting the life of Deltans.
He said Governor Okowa is building on the foundation laid by the administrations of James Ibori and Emmnauel Uduaghan, "we are sustaining the mother and child healthcare programme, the aged are also being taken care of , we just introduced the contributory health insurance programme , a number of hospitals are being revamped , we are hoping that our revenue improves , so that we can start addressing some other challenges in the state."
He pointed out that "As a state government we are not owning our workers, the state government has taken steps to pay the pensioners.
Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo says the state government is seeking partnerships with the international organisations to end slavery in all ramifications.
Obaseki spoke at the occasion commemorating the International Day for the Remembrance of Slave Trade and its Abolition in Benin.
The International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition is a day set aside by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
This is to remember the Trans-Atlantic slave trade.
The maiden edition of the day was celebrated in Haiti on Aug. 23, 1998.
Obaseki said: "While Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade in human beings ended over 200 years ago, slavery has refused to go away.
"Slavery still thrives in several other forms.
"Millions of children, teenagers and even adults, being sold daily across the world by human traffickers to greedy masters and mistresses, who use them for cheap labour and illicit sex trade."
The governor, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr Crusoe Osagie, decried the negative backlash of human trafficking on the society.
He listed them to include the erosion of age-old progressive values such as hard work, integrity and self-worth.
Obaseki said that international coalition was needed to put an end to the de-humanising practice.
"In Edo, our administration is committed to the fight against human trafficking as many Edo youths have lost their lives to the illicit trade.
"We have set up an Anti-human Trafficking Task Force to go after human traffickers in the state," Obaseki said.
He said that his administration would support the Federal Government's plan to extend the whistle-blowing policy to human trafficking.
The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, which started in the 16th Century by the Portuguese ended in 19th Century.
Historians put the numbers of Africans transported to America at over 12 million between 16th and 19th Centuries.
A Nigerian newspaper and Online version of the Vanguard, a daily publication in Nigeria covering Niger delta, general national news, politics, business, energy, sports, entertainment, fashion,lifestyle human interest stories, etc
INNER Wheel District 911, a non-governmental organisation, has urged the Lagos State government to build cancer centers across the divisional areas in the state. Mrs. Fathiat Rufai, chairman of the District, made the appeal during a cancer roadshow campaign in Lagos recently. The campaign took off at the Ikeja Local Government Area and ended up at state House of Assembly, Alausa, Ikeja.
Members of Inner Wheel during the walk in Lagos
Rufai said the purpose of the cancer roadshow was to create awareness on cancer, especially breast cancer. "Cancer kills. It has claimed several lives in the society. We are not happy about this occurrence. We want the Lagos State Government to come to women's aide by providing early solution/cure to this disease. We are your mothers, your wives, sisters, aunties and daughters; therefore, you need to come to our rescue in providing solutions to this disease at an early stage," she said.
According to her, building cancer centres in the divisional areas of the state would help women have easy/quick access to intervention. Rufai appealed to members of the state House of Assembly to pass a pending bill on cancer awareness in the state. "This will help to reduce the death rate of cancer patients, as there will be easy and quick access to centres where vaccines and other drugs will be given at an early stage, " she said.
She appealed to all women and girls not to hesitate to go for check up once they sense any strangeness on their body, and also commended Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on his effort in infrastructural development, health awareness and adequate security around the city. Hon. Omotayo Oyeledun, the Lagos House of Assembly Deputy Chief Whip, who received the group, expressed satisfaction over the solo roadshow on cancer awareness. Oyeledun said that a bill on cancer awareness had been forwarded to the assembly and that deliberation was still ongoing, for its quick passage into law.
Earlier, Hon. Segun Olulade, the Chairman, House Committee on Health, while also receiving the women, said the House would ensure swift passage of the cancer awareness bill into law.
MAKE UP can be your best friend or your worst enemy and when it turns on you, you are generally the last to notice. You wear your make up for hours; hence it has to be a combination of beautiful, comfortable and resilient- just like your man.
If you started wearing make-up more than ten years ago, chances are you will struggle with today's make-up techniques and products, which is about as hi-tech as today's technology. To catch up, you need to buy, learn about and use the new basics below:
Primer One of the fist things one learns when painting with oils is to treat the canvas with Gesso first. This protects the fabric and fills in the cracks, providing an even surface texture for a painting that looks beautiful for centuries. The same theory applies to painting your face. Once upon a time, all you needed for great make up was a good moisturizer base. Not these days. There's a make- up primer for every skin type – moisturizing, anti-ageing, anti-blemish, mattifying and even sweat-proof.
Eyelashes You might have thought putting on a fake pair of lashes was something of an overkill but not today. It is virtually impossible to pull off a complete made-up look without a pair. Look for reusable human hair lashes and a VERY good fixer.
Brow kit Forget about your eyebrow pencil- or you can keep it, but as a keepsake. These days there are far more important materials to attain the perfect brow, as the brow has become the focal point of every well made up face. Rather, you will be needing an entire kit consisting brow powders, gels, concealers and tools such as would make a regular pedicure kit green with envy.
Contour/highlight Forget blushes, which is now only relevant to the white skinned make up user. Contour makeup is your fast-track to cheekbones worthy of the catwalk; by playing around with light and shade, you can totally transform your face, whether it's a slimmer nose or a more defined jawline. The world of contour cosmetics has come a long way since the craze began seven or so years ago. It's an art that is here to stay, one that's worthy of investing some time in.
Setting spray It is no longer enough to wear make up and go. It is also no longer customary to excuse yourself to go powder your nose when you are at a public function. This is where setting spray comes in. In addition to keeping your make up fresh, setting sprays are usually infused with moisturizers, sunblocks and acidity regulators.
New Delhi – Indian Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on Wednesday offered to step down following two rail derailments few hours after the Chairman of Indian railway board A. K. Mittal tendered his resignation.
Mittal, who was the administrative head of Indian railways, voluntarily resigned from his position on Wednesday morning following the derailment of Utkal Express and Kaifiyat Express in a gap of five days.
The minister, who met with the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, took moral responsibility of two back-to-back accidents, and offered to quit.
"I met with Modi taking full moral responsibility and the PM has asked me to wait," Prabhu wrote on his twitter page.
At least 74 people were injured after 10 bogies of a passenger train derailed early on Wednesday in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
On Saturday, at least 23 people were killed and over 150 others injured.
Some of the victims were critically injured, after 14 coaches of the train derailed fell upon one another in Muzaffarnagar district of Uttar Pradesh state, around 100 km from New Delhi, India's national capital. (Xinhua/NAN)
By Providence Emmanuel SME 100 Nigeria is set to empower 25 innovative entrepreneurs who are under the age of 25 years with the aim of reducing the high mortality rate among Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the country.
For well over an hour, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, Governors & Ministers walked through booths where hundreds of MSMEs showcased and advertised their products. 20th July 2017.
SME 100 Nigeria is engaged in youth-driven entrepreneurship training and specializes in finding, preparing and connecting young entrepreneurs with the resources, training and support they need to run successful entrepreneurial businesses.
Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos, Founder and Executive Director of the organisation, Mr. Charles Odii, said members of the public were invited about six months ago to nominate under 25 entrepreneurs who were making quality impact on the economy.
He explained that more than 3,500 entrepreneurs were nominated and subsequently reduced to 100, adding that the number will be further slashed to 25 after voting and the winners will be awarded on August 26. He added that to qualify, businesses must be based in Nigeria, duly registered at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and in fields such as cyber security and technology; fashion; arts, crafts and culture; food; health & skincare; education, as well as energy & sustainability. Others are media & ICT, photography; music; software & design and event and planning.
Odii said: "SME 100 Nigeria is meant to encourage the entrepreneurs to make much more impact. "The difference between this award and others is that these people are founders, innovators and CEOs of their businesses. The short-listing is based on the impact the entrepreneurs make."
In his comment, Director of Programmes, SME 100 Nigeria, Mr Brian Oji, stated: "We identify young people doing phenomenal work across the country, shine the spotlight on them so that all others can see them and aspire to set up businesses as well. On the other hand, we are actively tackling the menace of widespread youth unemployment in Nigeria."
Tottenham finalised their signing of Ajax defender Davinson Sanchez for a reported club record £42 million ($54 million) on Wednesday.
We are delighted to announce that @daosanchez26 has completed his move to the Club subject to receipt of his work permit later this week. pic.twitter.com/GtppypuoIj
Sanchez’s move to the Premier League club was originally announced last Friday and Tottenham have now rubber-stamped the paperwork after he completed a medical.
The 21-year-old Colombia centre-back has agreed a six-year contract and his move is believed to have eclipsed Tottenham’s previous record fee of £30 million, which they paid Newcastle for midfielder Moussa Sissoko last year.
“We are delighted to announce that Davinson Sanchez has completed his move to the club subject to receipt of his work permit later this week,” a Tottenham statement read.
Sanchez joined Eredivisie side Ajax in June last year on a five-year deal after leaving Atletico Nacional in his homeland.
He played in last season’s Europa League final, which Manchester United won 2-0, and was named Ajax’s player of the year in May.
Enugu – A civil war veteran, Prof. Okoro Akpa, has urged various youth organisations issuing threats of quit notices and ultimatums to withdraw them and move for a more united and prosperous country.
Akpa, who fought on the Biafra side during the 30-months Nigeria-Biafra civil war, made the call while speaking to journalists on the indivisibility of the country on Wednesday in Enugu.
He urged the youth groups, especially members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Arewa youths, to join hands with the Federal Government to harness their potentials to build the country.
"Federal Government should sensitise Nigerians to love each other and to love the country because we have no other country than Nigeria.
"We must realise, understand and accept that the instrument that brought all of us together was an act of God.
"And all those who did it only came to fulfil that divine mission and mandate,'' Akpa said. According to him, Nigerians should be made to know that the country is equally owned by all and that a leader can emerge from any place, no matter how remote.
Akpa, a professor of alternative medicine, however, urged governments at all levels to ensure that youths are gainfully employed to check their restiveness.
He expressed the view that if industries are established, and the teeming youths gainfully employed, the country would be a better and peaceful place to live in.
"Establish industries in various communities in this country, in which indigenes will be employed to produce products and services that can be exported to other countries of the world.
"Organise a powerful organ for sending our youths to foreign countries like India, USA, China, etc, for high profile skill acquisition for the manufacture of aircraft, ships, motor cars, television, handsets, medical and engineering equipment,'' he suggested. (NAN)
Abuja – Mr Adams Oshiomole former Governor of Edo, has called for the review of the revenue allocation formula in favour of states and local governments in the country.
Oshiomohole made the call at the Colloquium organised by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Wednesday in Abuja.
The theme of the colloquium is: "The Labour Movement and the Future of United Nigeria: What Role for Restructuring?''He said that the review of the formula was overdue.
"We are now 17 years in democracy and for over 18 years that formula has yet to be reviewed,'' he said . He called for the transfer of resources to the states.
`If resources are transferred to each of the 36 states of the federation, those who want to grow can continue to grow, those who want to sleep and go slowly, let them do so.
"Those who want to run as fast as lion should be allowed to run, that could lead to the competition that we should have, ''he said. The former governor said that the country did not need federal roads but rather, states and local governments should be empowered to do so while states should be allowed to manage their own power to efficiency in power distribution.
"There are a lot of things we can do in the devolution of power and what I believe we must do is that, we can be mobilised to the National Assembly and tell our lawmakers what they must do as far as devolution of power is concerned. Contributing, Mr Ayuba Wabba, NLC President said the colloquium was convened in response to the recent developments in polity and calls for the restructuring of the nation.
"The discourse among the political elites in our country, in the last few months, has been so heated that suddenly, many of the elites involved in this debate have thrown caution, decency and decorum to the winds. "Also, the threats and counter threats have grave consequences for our cooperate existence as a nation.
"We have also heard stringent calls for Nigeria to return to regions of the first republic, others called for remodel our federation along the Abacha era. "Yet, others have called for a return of parliamentary form of democracy, ''he said.
He said the forum was called to seek sustainable effort to address the recurring problems affecting the country.
Waba said if the resources available to the nation were well managed in the past and not stolen by both the public and private sector operators, unemployment would have reduced.
He said that proper management of the nation's resources in the past would have enhanced building of infrastructure, effective funding of education sector, healthcare and other social services. (NAN)
Samsung on Wednesday unveiled a new model of its Galaxy Note as it seeks to leave behind the debacle over exploding batteries in the previous generation of the device, and mount a renewed challenge to Apple and its soon-to-come iPhone 8.
Introducing the Note 8 “phablet” at an event in New York City, executives repeatedly thanked fans who had remained loyal to the device.
“None of us will ever forget what happened last year,” said Samsung president of mobile communications business DJ Koh.
“But, I will never forget how millions of dedicated Note loyalists stayed with us; so let me express my deepest gratitude.”
The South Korean giant laid claim to being the first smartphone maker to field a “phablet” device — combining features of smartphones and tablets — when it introduced the first Note five years ago.
Samsung did not disclose the price of the Note 8, which will hit shops on September 15 but will be available for pre-orders starting Thursday.
Note 8 features include dual cameras on the back, with improved image capabilities, and a signature “S Pen” for drawing or writing on touch screens.
“All in all, it was a good day for Samsung,” Moore Insights and Strategy analyst Patrick Moorhead said at the event.
“The Note 7 is clearly behind them and now it’s onto the future with the Note 8.”
The analyst depicted the Note 8 as Samsung’s best opportunity in years to gain market share in the fiercely competitive premium smartphone market.
– iPhone turns 10 – The Note 8 debut comes on the heels of Samsung launching new Galaxy 8 smartphones, and as the South Korean consumer electronics giant and fellow market leader Apple seek wow factors that can help them fend off challenges from rising Chinese-based manufacturers.
Apple is under particular pressure to dazzle as the culture-changing California iPhone maker looks for a way to maintain its image as an innovation leader in a global market showing signs of slowing.
Apple is expected to unveil a 10th anniversary version of the iPhone in September.
“Clearly, Apple wants to do something different,” NPD Group analyst Stephen Baker told AFP.
Reports say the new iPhone will include a high-quality, edge-to-edge screen with a notch in the top for an extra camera supporting 3D facial recognition.
Some speculate that the back of the new handset will be glass and will offer wireless charging.
Meanwhile, Google-made Pixel smartphones that debuted last year will likely get a second generation in the months ahead.
Global smartphone sales saw a modest decline of 0.8 percent in the second quarter of 2017, an IDC survey showed.
Samsung maintained top spot in the crowded field with a 23.3 percent market share, while Apple held onto second place with 12 percent, according to IDC.
“Samsung had the Note 7 debacle, but it appears their troubles are behind them,” GlobalData analyst Avi Greengart told AFP. “Samsung is doing some amazing things with its display and design.”
– ‘Infinity’ and beyond – Note 8 handsets boasted “infinity” screens that span edge-to-edge on handsets, to enhance the viewing of video or help to juggle multiple tasks.
Samsung said it also built its Bixby virtual assistant smarts into Note 8 as it battles to compete with artificial intelligence being meshed into handsets powered by Apple or Google-backed Android software.
Note 8 also boasted water and dust resistance, along with wireless charging capability.
“We appreciate the relentless passion of the Note community,” Koh said during a presentation focused almost as much on Note fans as it was on the new handset.
“They’ve been a constant inspiration to us, and we designed the new Note for them.”
By Henry Umoru ABUJA- THE quick intervention of Senate President Bukola Saraki Wednesday stopped the Chief Executive Officers of some major multinational companies and Nigeria based Organisations from staging a walkout at the resumed probe of these firms by the Senate Joint Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariff, investigating the alleged N30 trillion revenue leakage.
Apparently tired of waiting for hours, the CEOs of these companies were prepared to leave the hearing room and go back to Lagos.
But for the very quick intervention of Senate President Saraki who pleaded with them to give the Committee members some more time, the Chief Executive officers, CEOs then waited for the Senators.
The First Lady of Edo State, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, on Wednesday, said the state government in collaboration with the Bank of Industry (BOI), would soon commence the disbursement of interest-free loans to two thousand women to grow their businesses in the state. The First Lady of Edo State, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, speaking on the activities of her pet project, Edo Women for Agriculture and Enterprise (EWAE), in Benin City, Edo State on Wednesday, August 23, 2017. Mrs. Obaseki who said this while speaking on the activities of her pet project, Edo Women for Agriculture and Enterprise (EWAE), assured women leaders from the eighteen local government councils of the state, that the scope of the project has been expanded.
“The Edo Women for Agriculture and Enterprise initiative has been successful. We have recorded over 85 per cent success rate, and most of our women have done well. Due to this success, I have decided to expand the scope of the programme to include general enterprise that can grow the state’s economy and empower our people," Mrs. Obaseki said.
She explained that there were several programmes in the bouquet of the Bank of Industry, designed to support the initiative, and grow the micro, small and medium enterprise sub-sectors. She added: "I am also working towards getting support and funding from outside the state and country as part of my contributions to the economy of the state.”
She said the criteria for qualifying for the loan facility includes membership of a registered cooperative that has serious and credible executives, whose members must be diligent traders who are ready to pay back the loans at the stipulated time.
Mrs. Obaseki said the loan amount would be between fifty and one hundred thousand naira with a repayment period of six months.
.Moves to block tax leakages, targets 75 percent from IGR
By Olasunkanmi Akoni
Barely 27 days assumption in office of the new administration, Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, LCDA, has awarded the rehabilitation of the deplorable Raufu Tijani Road, a link road from Idimu-Ejigbo for immediate construction which is aimed at ensuring smooth movement of traffic around the axis.
Meantime, the council, also unveiled a special tax revenue team, which was created recently, with the aim of reducing the high level of leakages associated with collection of cash by revenue officials.
Chairman of the council, Alhaji Monsurudeen Bello, disclosed this yesterday, during a Town Hall Meeting, which focused on infrastructural development and effective means of generating revenue internally, held at the council's Secretariat.
Bello, addressing the mammoth crowd, which included; Members of Community Development Associations, CDA, traditional ruler, clerics, traders, stakeholders, among others, stressed the need for a collective responsibility from residents to further engender overall development of the area among other councils in the state.
He reiterated commitment to his campaign promise of ensuring a transparent, evidence-based plan to support infrastructural development with high quality public investment and effective service delivery in all sector.
According to him, "Local councils are systematically designed as close as possible to the people at the grassroot levels with the objective of facilitating development which cannot be achieved by government alone.
"Our roads are in terrible shape, our waterways need urgent attention, and some of our communities are in need of government schools, clinics, among others. Our drainage system is worrisome and shameful while our youths need to be meaningfully engaged.
"I am happy, therefore, to notify you that our administration has awarded the rehabilitation of Raufu Tijani up to Kolawole Sebilli Street, which is about 152 meters in length and Moshalasi Road from Idimu Junction down to Alhaji Obe, which about 540 meteres in length.
"These two link roads which will further ease movement of traffic in Alimosho axis are expected to be completed before the end of December, 2017."
Bello, explained that the project which had been awarded to a local contractor is to further complement the on-going construction of 181 inner roads already embarked on by the state government.
"This roads links, Lagos-Abeokuta Road, LASU-Iba, Ikotun, Oke-Afa, Ipaja, Ayobo roads, thereby, reduces man-hour loss as result of traffic gridlock, as well as boost business activities of residents in the area," the council boss stated.
Tax net
While lamenting on the challenges facing the council due to scarce resources, Bello stressed the need for private partnership and cooperation from residents.
His words: "Ejigbo has the potential survive on Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, if the right parameters are set. We are considered weak in our IGR because we do not have comprehensive data on who should pay the approved revenue license fees and permits or the key economic activities that can generate levies.
"It is important for all of us to look inwards and start to engage in resource development in order to fashion out a more effective means of generating revenue while encouraging Public-Private Partnership, PPP, within our locality.
"Today we intend to make Ejigbo LCDA self sufficient so that we can generate at least 75 percent of our revenue from IGR which is achievable through your support and cooperation and by implementing a customized data base with cutting-edge technology methods."
Unveiling the special tax team, Bello, stressed, "We are willing to partner with you in order to reduce the high level of leakages associated with the collection cash by revenue officials, hence, we have trained and retraining our revenue officers who will from today (Wednesday) be going about their official duties in a uniform for easy identification, thereby, eliminating possible impostor in the process."
Prof. Chris Bode, the Chief Medical Director, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Lagos, on Wednesday said nobody died of any "strange disease" linked to Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) in the hospital.
Bode spoke in a statement in Lagos against the reported death of 13 people in the hospital as a result of HPV.
According to him, no doctor made such a claim from this institution and nobody died of any "strange disease" in LUTH.
Bode said: "HPV does not cause sudden mass deaths in humans.
"Medical literature informs us that the human papillomavirus causes a number of diseases in man, and the ordinary wart is the commonest of these.
"The virus is also known to cause cancer of the cervix in females, genital cancer and cancer of the throat. Occasionally, it can prevent pregnancy.
"The virus is found only in humans and it can be transmitted through sexual contact and infects the anus and genitals.
"HPV vaccines can prevent the most common types of infection and it is now recommended to be given to young girls between the ages of 9 and 13 to prevent cervical cancer.''
The chief medical director said that though, warts have been documented since the time of ancient Greece, its viral nature was described over a hundred years ago.
"It is, therefore, absurd to attribute the discovery of this old disease to any LUTH doctor.
"It damages the ethical standards of the Nigerian Medical community when such reckless claims are made,'' Bode said.
Abuja – The Concerned Nigerian Network in Diaspora (CNND) has called on Niger Delta youths not to allow themselves to be used as instruments of destruction by greedy and selfish politicians.
Mr James Erebuoye, President of the group, made the call in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja while reacting to recent wave of hate speeches in the country. Nnamdi Kanu
According to him, some politicians are in the habit of using unsuspecting masses to instigate crisis in the country while their children are overseas studying and enjoying.
He added that rather than engaging in ventures that would heat up the polity, youths in the region should focus more on monitoring constituency projects and fund disbursement to and in the region.
He said they should also strive to work towards ensuring the country´s unity while supporting the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to enable it deliver true democracy dividends to the people. Erebuoye particularly called on youths in the region to shun the call being made by Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), for the disintegration of the country.
He maintained that the unity and development of the country should be the interest of all well meaning Nigerians, adding that youths in the region should stay clear from IPOB activities and embrace peace.
"We must not give room to Nnamdi and his IPOB group to course panic and destruction to this great region and the country generally.
"The Niger Delta region has suffered several crises in the past and it is time for us to give peace a chance to enable us benefits from the Buhari administration.
"I am very sure that we all know that nothing good comes out of crisis; it is high time we stop participating in illegal rallies out of personal interest,´´ Erebuoye stressed.
He maintained that Niger Delta youths should join hands with the Federal Government and its anti- graft agencies in fighting corruption which he noted had left the country and he region in a very bad shape. (NAN)
The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, has approved the release of the admission list of successful candidates into the Federal Unity Colleges (FUCs) for the 2017/2018 academic year.
Malam Adamu Adamu
A statement by the Federal Ministry of Education on Wednesday quoted the minster as saying that admission list into JSSI was on notice boards in the colleges and on their websites.
The statement signed by Mrs Priscilla Ihuoma, Director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, said the list was also online: http:htt//www.fmeinterviewtest.com or the ministry's website www.education.gov.ng.
"Students who have been offered provisional admission have two weeks after the release of the results to accept the offer, otherwise, they will be replaced by other candidates,'' the statement quoted Adamu as saying.
The Kogi House of Assembly has constituted a five-man committee to "critically investigate" the remote and immediate causes of the attack on members while in session on Aug. 1.
The action followed the adoption of a motion to that effect brought by Victor Omofaiye (APC,Ijumu) under matters of urgent public importance, on Wednesday in Lokoja.
Hoodlums, on August 1, invaded the house and attacked members and staff of the assembly.
The hoodlums, who left many members critically injured, also destroyed furniture.
Omofaiye, while moving the motion, described the incident as "ugly and unpalatable", saying that the attack desecrated the chamber that was supposed to be a sacred place for the legislators to carry out their constitutional roles.
"It is unfortunate that the thugs turned the hallow chamber into a theatre of war; they physically assaulted some members, forcing many of us to scale the walls to escape to safety.
"This evil deed on the members of the House of Assembly is uncivilised, barbaric and should be checked, investigated and condemned by a resolution of the House," he said.
Seconding the motion, Edoko Moses (APC-Dekina-Biraidu), explained that whenever there was crisis in any Assembly, it was usually among members.
"But on Aug. 1, the House was disrupted by evil guests; hoodlums invaded the Assembly that day. One keeps wondering what brought them and why the lawmakers became their target," he said.
Contributing, Pedro Obaro (APC-Mopa-muro), decried the inaction of security operatives on the day the attack took place.
"There were security agents all over the place, but they did not protect the lawmakers; they left us vulnerable and the hoodlums had a field day," he said.
Speaker of the House, Prince Matthew Kolawole, in his ruling, condemned the attack and constituted a five-man committee to critically investigate its remote cause.
Mover of the motion and Chairman, Ethics and Privileges Committee, Omafaiye is to chair the committee that has the Deputy Speaker, Hassan Abdullahi, Lawi Ahmed, Haruna Idoko Musa and Oluwatoyin Lawal as members.
The Concerned Nigerian Network in Diaspora (CNND) has called on Niger Delta youths not to allow themselves to be used as instruments of destruction by greedy and selfish politicians.
Mr James Erebuoye, President of the group, made the call in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja while reacting to recent wave of hate speeches in the country.
According to him, some politicians are in the habit of using unsuspecting masses to instigate crisis in the country while their children are overseas studying and enjoying.
He added that rather than engaging in ventures that would heat up the polity, youths in the region should focus more on monitoring constituency projects and fund disbursement to and in the region.
He said they should also strive to work towards ensuring the country´s unity while supporting the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to enable it deliver true democracy dividends to the people.
Erebuoye particularly called on youths in the region to shun the call being made by Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), for the disintegration of the country.
He maintained that the unity and development of the country should be the interest of all well meaning Nigerians, adding that youths in the region should stay clear from IPOB activities and embrace peace.
"We must not give room to Nnamdi and his IPOB group to course panic and destruction to this great region and the country generally. "The Niger Delta region has suffered several crises in the past and it is time for us to give peace a chance to enable us benefits from the Buhari administration.
"I am very sure that we all know that nothing good comes out of crisis; it is high time we stop participating in illegal rallies out of personal interest,´´ Erebuoye stressed.
He maintained that Niger Delta youths should join hands with the Federal Government and its anti- graft agencies in fighting corruption which he noted had left the country and he region in a very bad shape.
………as agency shun request to handover case files of ex-Govs
By Ikechukwu Nnochiri
ABUJA – Ongoing cold war between the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, and the Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, may frustrate the trial of more than 35 ex-governors.
Investigation by Vanguard revealed that the anti-graft agency had yet to transfer case files of the affected public officials to the AGF, though the request was made since July 2016. Magu It was further learnt that the rift between Malami and Magu was worsened by the AGF’s insistence that the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU, must be separated from the EFCC.
Further probe by Vanguard revealed that Malami had in a memo marked HAGF/SH/2016/Vol.1/2, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to as a matter of urgency, expedite the process of securing autonomy for the NFIU which has been under the control of EFCC since it was established in 2006.
According to section 1(2) (c) of the EFCC Act, it is the NFIU that has “the responsibility of coordinating the various institutions involved in the fight against money laundering and enforcement of all laws dealing with economic and financial crimes in Nigeria”.
It will be recalled that the Egmont Group of national financial intelligence units, had at its 24th Plenary that held in China in July, suspended Nigeria for what it termed lack of independence of the NFIU from the EFCC.
The group, at the meeting where about 354 participants representing 112 Financial Intelligence Units were in attendance, anchored its decision to axe Nigeria, on repeated failure to protect confidential information relating to Suspicious Transaction Report (STR) derived from international exchanges, which it made available to the NFIU.
The group, which is the highest inter-governmental association of intelligence agencies in the world, gave Nigeria until December to comply with its standards on financial intelligence or risk expulsion in 2018.
Following the threat which came whilst President Buhari was on medical vacation, the then Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, promptly constituted a Presidential Adhoc Committee headed by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, Senator Chukwuka Utazi.
Mandate of the adhoc committee included to recommend and facilitate legal and regulatory measures to ensure the financial and operational autonomy of the NFIU, as well to recommend other necessary steps to be taken by relevant stakeholders to ensure the restoration of Nigeria’s membership on the Egmont Group.
Meanwhile, the AGF, through his memo, persuaded President Buhari to re-transmit the Proceed of Crime Bill and Nigeria Financial Intelligence Centre Bill, to the National Assembly.
Though the two Bills were previously passed by the 7th National Assembly in 2015, however, ex-President Goodluck Jonathan could not assent to them before his tenure elapsed.
Consequently, Malami, SAN, urged President Buhari to re-transmit them to the National Assembly.
The AGF’s memo read in part; "In view of the fact that the thirty (30) days time limit permitted under Section 58 (5) of the Constitution for assent to a Bill has expired, I respectfully wish to request Mr. President to re-transmit the Bills to the 8th Assembly for accelerated hearing, as may be permitted by its Rules. I have reviewed the two Bills which are Executive Bills and can confirm that they are consistent with the agenda of the present administration.
"The two Bills have been prioritized because they will support the fight against corruption, money laundering, terrorism, kidnapping, oil theft and a host of other crimes that are related to financial crimes. They will also enhance the legal measures for the recovery and management of stolen asset and ensure that all assets are recovered from within Nigeria and outside Nigeria in a prompt manner."
The memo signed by the AGF with the two Bills attached, dispatched and acknowledged same day by the presidency had as prayers that, "In the light of the above, Your Excellency is graciously invited to re-transmit the above-mentioned two Bills to the National Assembly for consideration and passage, please", it concluded.
Besides, the adhoc committee that was setup by Prof. Osinbajo is expected to conclude its assignment and submit final report to the Presidency at the end of this month.
Meanwhile, the case files yet to be transmitted to the AGF as requested, included those involving the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki who was former governor of Kwara State, Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu); Saminu Turaki (Jigawa); Sule Lamido (Jigawa); Joshua Dariye (Plateau); Ahmed Yerima (Zamfara); Ali Modu Sheriff (Borno); Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom); Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia); Gabriel Suswam (Benue); James Ibori (Delta); Martin Elechi (Ebonyi); Danjuma Goje (Gombe); Murtala Nyako (Adamawa); Ikedi Ohakim (Imo); Gbenga Daniel (Ogun); Achike Udenwa (Imo).
Others are Jolly Nyame (Taraba); Rasheed Ladoja (Oyo); Adebayo Alao-Akala (Oyo); Adamu Mu'azu (Bauchi); Lucky Igbinedion (Edo) and Peter Odili (Rivers) and Ubong Victor Attah (Akwa Ibom).
The Lagos State Ministry of Education on Wednesday said it has placed 5,278 successful candidates who scored 65 per cent and above in the last Model College placement test in the 16 Model Colleges/ Upgraded Secondary Schools.
Mr Adesina Odeyemi, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Education, said this while announcing the result of the test in Lagos.
He said that 10,592 candidates registered for the examination while 10,323 wrote test.
Odeyemi said 8,147 representing 78.92 per cent scored above 50 per cent, adding that it is an indication that the placement test was not only competitive, but the pupils made an impressive outing.
Odeyemi explained that the 65 per cent cut off mark was a function of the available vacancies in all the model colleges and for fairness and equity all pupils who scored above the cut-off mark were placed.
He said that this was a change from the practice in the past where those who could not meet the cut-off mark of their schools of choice lost out completely.
He said that 190 pupils who chose Vetland Junior Grammar School and scored between 65 per cent and 79 per cent who could not be placed in the school would be placed in public junior secondary schools around the area because it was a day school.
The permanent secretary said the parents of successful candidates would be contacted through Short Message Service (SMS) on the contact telephone line made available on the form.
He, however, said the list of successful candidates would be on display at the headquarters of the six education districts from Aug. 25.
"Parents can check the results at the closest education district irrespective of the choice of school of their children or wards.
"Parents and guardians whose children or wards scored 65 per cent and above were advised to start making arrangement for the Sept. 10 resumption date preparatory for the beginning of new academic session in Lagos state," he said.
Abuja – Mixed reactions on Wednesday trailed the decision of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), to peg the minimum cut-off mark for admissions into universities at 120.JAMB candidates
Most Nigerians decried the reduction in the cut-off describing it as `too low a requirement for admission' into the university.
Mr Ettu Ahmed, an Educationist, said that the pegging of the cut-off to 120 would encourage laziness and lower the standard of education in the country.
"Rather than lower it to 120, JAMB management should have used 180 as the cut-off, judging from the number of those who scored 200 and above.
"JAMB's decision to reduce the cut-off to such a mark could have a multiplier effect on the already lower standard of education in the country,'' he said.
Mrs Foluke Mathew, a concerned mother, berated JAMB management for toeing that path, adding that such ridiculous reduction would not augur well for the educational development of the country.
"When I was about entering the university in the 90s, the minimum requirement was 180 but instead of increasing it, the management of JAMB reduced it drastically.
"It saddened my heart when I heard the news of the reduction. The reduction is capable of destabilising the educational system,'' she said.
Mrs Adekemi Jegede, Headmistress, Methodist Elementary School, Oke-Omi, Osun, State noted that the reduction of the cut-off marks would only worsen academic performance in tertiary institutions.
Jegede said the level of academic excellence depends on the performance of candidates in the UTME.
"When I heard the news of the reduction in the cut-off mark by JAMB yesterday, I was so perplexed because this has not been the usual way of JAMB doing things.
"This will only reduce the level of performance of the students.
"I believe students should be made to read more but this reduction will only make them idle, especially as regards their academic performance,'' she added.
However, some parents, teachers and students in Bwari, FCT also expressed mixed feelings over the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB)'s reduction of cut-off marks for admissions to tertiary institutions.
Mr Joseph Okon, a civil servant, told NAN that although the reduction in the minimum cut-off marks marked deviation from the past, he did not expect it to have been reduced to such level.
According to him, last year it was 180, I was expecting this year's cut-off marks will be pegged at 170, but not as low as 120.
Okon said "I only pray that Universities will give room for our children to secure admission, to enable them acquire tertiary education.
"Before now, securing admission into tertiary institutions used to be very difficult, due to high cut-off marks often placed by University authorities.
"At least with this reduction in the bench mark we are sure our children will secure admission with minimal effort."
Mr Femi Ogunle, a parent, decried reduction in cut off marks, adding that this negated his expectation about standards of the nation's public examination.
"I used to think passing the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) reflects candidate intelligence to an extent, but now to secure admission at 120 marks leaves a wrong impression," Ogunle said.
On the contrary, a Secondary School Teacher, who pleaded anonymity, said that the reduction in cut-off marks would not in any way affect admission standards to tertiary institutions.
He suggested that there should be a platform to examine student intelligence through aptitude test, to avoid a situation where dull ones get admission at the expense of the intelligent ones.
A student of Government Secondary School Dutse-Alhaji, Mr Paul Egbe, expressed delight in the reduction of the admission cut-off marks.
According to him, the reduction of cut-off marks will help to reduce the back log of candidates wanting to enter higher institutions, but cannot.
Egbe said "at least with this reduction, many candidates will be able to secure admission to study their course of choice and even attend the University they desire.
"I call on JAMB to sustain this feat because it will go a long way to encourage people wanting to enter higher institution to do so after passing the UTME''.
Miss Emmanuella Daniel, a student of Government Day Secondary School Bwari Central, said that the reduction of cut-off marks by the Board would hinder competition for excellence among candidates.
"I want JAMB to raise the bench mark to give room for those who really studied hard and passed the UTME, to be given admission.
"Reducing the cut-off marks to 120 will only benefit lazy students and contribute to the fallen standard of the nation's education," Daniel said.
JAMB had on Aug. 22 reduced university cut-off to 120, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education 100 at a policy meeting with the Vice Chancellors, Rectors and Provosts of higher institutions in the country.
NAN reports that Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, Registrar, JAMB, had at the policy meeting of the stakeholders of Tertiary Institutions held in Abuja disclosed the reduction of cut off marks to 120.
The reduction decision on the choice of cut-off marks was an outcome of the unanimous agreement arrived at by heads of tertiary institutions at the policy meeting.
NAN reports 569,395 of the 1.7 million candidates that wrote this year's UTME scored over 200 marks. (NAN) FEA/FAK/GOM/AFA
Mixed reactions on Wednesday trailed the decision of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), to peg the minimum cut-off mark for admissions into universities at 120.
JAMB candidates
Most Nigerians decried the reduction in the cut-off describing it as `too low a requirement for admission' into the university.
Mr Ettu Ahmed, an Educationist, said that the pegging of the cut-off to 120 would encourage laziness and lower the standard of education in the country.
"Rather than lower it to 120, JAMB management should have used 180 as the cut-off, judging from the number of those who scored 200 and above.
"JAMB's decision to reduce the cut-off to such a mark could have a multiplier effect on the already lower standard of education in the country,'' he said.
Mrs Foluke Mathew, a concerned mother, berated JAMB management for toeing that path, adding that such ridiculous reduction would not augur well for the educational development of the country.
"When I was about entering the university in the 90s, the minimum requirement was 180 but instead of increasing it, the management of JAMB reduced it drastically.
"It saddened my heart when I heard the news of the reduction. The reduction is capable of destabilising the educational system,'' she said.
Mrs Adekemi Jegede, Headmistress, Methodist Elementary School, Oke-Omi, Osun, State noted that the reduction of the cut-off marks would only worsen academic performance in tertiary institutions.
Jegede said the level of academic excellence depends on the performance of candidates in the UTME.
"When I heard the news of the reduction in the cut-off mark by JAMB yesterday, I was so perplexed because this has not been the usual way of JAMB doing things.
"This will only reduce the level of performance of the students.
"I believe students should be made to read more but this reduction will only make them idle, especially as regards their academic performance,'' she added.
However, some parents, teachers and students in Bwari, FCT also expressed mixed feelings over the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB)'s reduction of cut-off marks for admissions to tertiary institutions.
Mr Joseph Okon, a civil servant, said that although the reduction in the minimum cut-off marks marked deviation from the past, he did not expect it to have been reduced to such level.
According to him, last year it was 180, I was expecting this year's cut-off marks will be pegged at 170, but not as low as 120.
Okon said "I only pray that Universities will give room for our children to secure admission, to enable them acquire tertiary education.
"Before now, securing admission into tertiary institutions used to be very difficult, due to high cut-off marks often placed by University authorities.
"At least with this reduction in the bench mark we are sure our children will secure admission with minimal effort."
Mr Femi Ogunle, a parent, decried reduction in cut off marks, adding that this negated his expectation about standards of the nation's public examination.
"I used to think passing the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) reflects candidate intelligence to an extent, but now to secure admission at 120 marks leaves a wrong impression," Ogunle said.
On the contrary, a Secondary School Teacher, who pleaded anonymity, said that the reduction in cut-off marks would not in any way affect admission standards to tertiary institutions.
He suggested that there should be a platform to examine student intelligence through aptitude test, to avoid a situation where dull ones get admission at the expense of the intelligent ones.
A student of Government Secondary School Dutse-Alhaji, Mr Paul Egbe, expressed delight in the reduction of the admission cut-off marks.
According to him, the reduction of cut-off marks will help to reduce the back log of candidates wanting to enter higher institutions, but cannot.
Egbe said "at least with this reduction, many candidates will be able to secure admission to study their course of choice and even attend the University they desire.
"I call on JAMB to sustain this feat because it will go a long way to encourage people wanting to enter higher institution to do so after passing the UTME''.
Miss Emmanuella Daniel, a student of Government Day Secondary School Bwari Central, said that the reduction of cut-off marks by the Board would hinder competition for excellence among candidates.
"I want JAMB to raise the bench mark to give room for those who really studied hard and passed the UTME, to be given admission.
"Reducing the cut-off marks to 120 will only benefit lazy students and contribute to the fallen standard of the nation's education," Daniel said.
JAMB had on Aug. 22 reduced university cut-off to 120, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education 100 at a policy meeting with the Vice Chancellors, Rectors and Provosts of higher institutions in the country.
Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, Registrar, JAMB, had at the policy meeting of the stakeholders of Tertiary Institutions held in Abuja disclosed the reduction of cut off marks to 120.
The reduction decision on the choice of cut-off marks was an outcome of the unanimous agreement arrived at by heads of tertiary institutions at the policy meeting.
According to reports 569,395 of the 1.7 million candidates that wrote this year's UTME scored over 200 marks.
